Traditionally, bed rest was the recommended treatment for back pain. However, recent studies show that bed rest is counterproductive and often detrimental in treating back pain. Bed rest allows muscles to de-condition and significantly slows the rate of recovery from acute back pain. The recommended activity modification for patients with back pain is to stop whatever activity causes back pain. But current studies recommend no bed rest at all and stress that staying in bed longer than 48 hours not only won’t help but it may, in fact, actually delay your recovery.

Your spine doctor or physiotherapist will design an exercise plan as per your specific condition. Back and neck patients also should incorporate postural exercises into their daily routine. Swimming, walking, stretching, dancing, cross-country skiing, and yoga can help improve your overall spine health.

Regular exercise will speed your recovery and improve your health. There is no treatment that can take the place of exercise. Research suggests that regular exercise may prevent back injuries from recurring.

The decision to have an MRI scan should be made by your doctor after a careful history and physical examination. The vast majority of patients with arm/leg or neck/back pain will improve with time by themselves without having any sort of therapy or testing. Unless there is evidence of a significant neurological deficit, waiting for several weeks is desirable prior to obtaining an MRI scan.

Traditional spine surgery is performed through larger incisions ranging from two to six inches with extensive muscle dissection and spinal exposure, but evolving minimally invasive techniques have made it possible to perform many spine and neck surgeries through one or more small incisions that are only one-half to one inch long.

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is an alternative to traditional open surgical procedures performed to treat different spinal disorders, such as

• Degenerative disc disease : Degenerative disc disease (DDD) usually develops gradually in older adults affecting the spine’s intervertebral discs.
• Herniated discs : A herniated disc sometimes called a slipped disc or ruptured disc, occurs when the gel-like inner core of an intervertebral disc breaks through the protective outer layer of the disc.
• Scoliosis : Scoliosis is an abnormal sideward curve of the spine that may cause progressive spinal deformity. A scoliotic curve may resemble an “S” or “C.”
• Spinal stenosis : Spinal stenosis occurs when spinal nerve roots and/or the spinal cord become compressed. The nerve roots branch off the spinal cord and exit the spinal canal through passageways called neuroforamen. Nerve and/or spinal cord compression can cause symptoms such as pain, weakness, tingling sensations, and numbness.

Spinal instability refers to excessive movement between two vertebrae resulting in a misalignment of the vertebrae. This misalignment is called spondylolisthesis and may cause spinal stenosis and pinched nerves.

Once we've reviewed your MRI report, we can determine if our procedures can help treat your specific condition. Here are some of the most common conditions we provide relief from:

• Pinched Nerve
• Bulging/herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Arthritis of the spine
• Sciatica

The days and weeks after surgery are very crucial for your recovery. That’s why its recommended to slow down and take it easy, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and take all medications as directed. It’s important to limit activity (bending, lifting, twisting) that applies added weight to the spine.

Most patients can drive 24 hours after surgery. If riding long distances, we ask that you stop every hour to stretch and walk.

Having difficulty sleeping after back surgery or spinal surgery, like lumbar spine surgery, discectomy, disc replacement, laminectomy, or spinal fusion is completely normal. Your body has been through trauma as a result of surgery. Additionally, you may be dealing with pain, a sore incision, and simply not being able to get comfortable in order to sleep.

The best sleeping position is either on your side — or believe it or not — on your back. Either position decreases the pressure on your low back and spinal discs. You should avoid sleeping on your stomach after back surgery.

Spinal stenosis is a condition that affects the elderly. It is the most common spinal condition leading to surgery in people over the age of 60. In this condition, the spinal canal is narrowed to a degree where the spinal cord or nerve roots may be compromised. The pinching results from a combination of disc bulging, hypertrophy or enlargement of the facet joints and thickening of a ligament called the ligamentum flavum.

Back surgery might be an option if conservative treatments haven't worked and your pain is persistent and disabling. Back surgery often more predictably relieves associated pain or numbness that goes down one or both arms or legs.

These symptoms often are caused by compressed nerves in your spine. Nerves may become compressed for a variety of reasons, including:

• Disk problems
• Overgrowth of bone

Different types of back surgery include:

• Diskectomy
• Laminectomy
• Fusion
• Artificial disks